Improvement in cutting apparatus for harvesters



' J. 6; G! M. CLARK.

. Harvester Cutter.

No. 108,686. Patented Oct. 25, I870.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIcE THOMAS J. CLARK AND GEORGE M. CLARK, OF HIGGANUM, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN CUTTING APPARATUS FOR HARVESTERS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 108,686, dated October 25, 1870.

To all whom "it may concern.-

Be it known that we, THOMA$ J. CLARK and GEORGE M. CLARK, of Higgannm, in the county of Middlesex, and in the State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Finger-Bars for Mowers; and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

The nature of our invention consists in the construction of the finger-bar and the finger, and the connection of the ledger-plate thereto, as more fully hereinafter set forth.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which our invention appertains, we will now proceed to more fully describe the same, referring to the annexed drawing, in which- Figure 1 represents a sectional view, and Fig. 2 a plan View.

In the annexed drawing, A represents the finger-bar, whose forward end is turned up in the form as shown. D represents the finger, which is constructed with a solid point in front, from the lower side of which projects backward a broad strip, which is riveted or otherwise secured to the under side of the finger-bar.

' By this construction a free space is provided between the solid end of the finger and -the forward edge of the finger-bar. The rear part of the solid end of this finger is provided with a narrow groove, into which the front end of the ledger-plate is inserted, and there held in place by a pin, bolt, or rivet. The

ledger-plate B is extended over the open part of the finger, and stayed by a standard, E, as shown, and is passed over the top of the finger-bar, and has a curved end to correspond with the curved end of the finger-bar, where it is secured, by rivets or other devices, in the front part of the groove for the cutter-bar.

0 represents the sickleblade, which is connected to the usual cutter-bar, which works in the groove in the rear of the curved end of the ledger-plate. The blades of the sickle are spread outward at their rear, so as to extend beyond the curved spaces a in the ledger-plate, so that when the sickle is in motion there will always be a cutting-edge on that portion of the led gerplate uncovered by the sickle-knives, and the joint between the two adjoining ledger-plates will be effectually covered. (See Fig. 2.) If these joints are not covered, the grass will work in between and retard the operation of the cutters.

By broadening the bottom of the finger and leaving an open space above it, we are enabled to make it lighter and to save material in its construction, while by our mode of connecting the led ger-plate the finger is firmly braced upon the finger-bar, and the plate is prevented from springing out of its place.

What we claim is- The combination of the curved fin ger-bar A, hollowed finger D, and led get-plate B, connect-- ed in a groove in the finger and extended over and down the inner side of the fin ger-bar, all substantially as set forth.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing we have hereunto set our hands this 14th day of February, 1870.

THOMAS J. CLARK. GEORGE M. CLARK- Witnesses:

ARTHUR L. BONFAZ, ABRAHAM BRAINARD. 

